The robbery and shooting early Monday morning on Easton's South Side was not a random crime, police said this morning.

As police began to investigate the shooting of a 37-year-old resident, identified in court paperwork as Jason Smith, of the 200 block of East Wilkes Barre Street, they didn't see an immediate connection between the robbers and the victim.

But today, police Lt. Matthew Gerould said the investigation has changed that perspective and "we believe it's not random." He would not provide more details.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said Monday that the crime would "be much more troubling" if there were no connection, because that would mean an innocent person was caught up in what's often targeted, gang- and drug-related violence in the city.

The neighborhood, a block from where the notorious Delaware Terrace public housing development once stood, has seen much less crime since Neston Heights was built in its place, neighbors said.

The probe is continuing and police had no more information to release, Gerould said. No one is in custody, Gerould said.

Earlier today, Gerould said in an email, "We are not releasing any further information at this time in order to not compromise any investigative tactic currently being utilized."

The victim was in a black Nissan Maxima just before 12:30 a.m. near his home when police said two men approached to rob him. Smith fought with the shooter and was wounded in the process, police said. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment, police said, and was cooperating with authorities in the investigation.

A nurse at the hospital where Smith was sent for treatment indicated he was not listed as a patient there.

Police on Monday requested a search warrant for the Maxima. The warrant was returned today to District Judge Daniel Corpora's court on South Side. A single shell casing was found inside the car and fingerprints were recovered from the doors, court paperwork says. DNA swabs were taken, the paperwork says, and a bag of rubber bands was also found.

Court records indicate Smith has several drug convictions,
including a federal conviction in Kansas
after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of
cocaine in 2002. He was sentenced in 2004 on that case to 84 months in prison
and five years federal supervision, court papers say.

Smith violated that probation, court documents indicate, after pleading guilty to possession of marijuana in a car in Greenwich Township in August 2009, to drug charges in Lehigh County in 2010 and to possession with the intent to deliver drugs and related charges in March 2011.

A Philadelphia judge sentenced him in May 2011 on the violations to 30 months in prison and an additional three years of probation, court papers say.

The shooter is described as a black man, who is 5 feet 8 inches tall
with a slim build and "bushy" hair, Gerould said Monday. The other man, who was
wearing a mask, is described as tall and thin, Gerould said. The
would-be robbers ran off, Gerould said.

Police are seeking two vehicles that could have been involved in the
crime, Gerould said. One is described as a black BMW with tinted
windows, blue headlights and silver around the rim area. The second is
only described as orange.

Anybody with information on the crime is asked to call either police
Inspector Dan Reagan at 610-250-6796 or the Easton police tip line at
610-250-6635. Callers can remain anonymous, Gerould said.